Wednesday, May 1, 1996
Cowboy franchise has highest value at $272
million
By Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - The Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys have the
highest franchise value among North American professional teams
at $272 million, according to "Financial World."
The magazine reported Wednesday in its annual appraisal of sports
franchises that the Cowboys' value increased by 14 percent from
$238 million. Next in value were the Miami Dolphins at $214 million,
the New York Yankees at $209 million, the New York Knicks at
$205 million and the Baltimore Ravens at $201 million.
Owner Art Modell's team increased in value by 23 percent since
last year, when it was the Cleveland Browns.
The San Francisco 49ers were sixth at $196 million, followed
by the St. Louis Rams at $193 million, the Philadelphia Eagles
at $192 million and the Phoenix Suns at $191 million.
The Detroit Red Wings were the top-valued hockey franchise at
$126 million, a rise of two percent.
The Atlanta Braves had the largest increase, rising 36 percent
to $163 million from $120 million as they prepare to move into
a new stadium next season. The Braves have increased in value
by 70 percent in two years.
Financial World said NFL teams increased in value by nine percent
to an average of $174 million, and NBA teams increased 11 percent
to an average of $127 million. Baseball teams increased by four
percent to an average of $115 million despite the aftereffects
of the 232-day strike, and NHL teams increased four percent to
an average of $74 million.
The biggest decreases were the Kansas City Royals down 17 percent
to $80 million; the Tampa Bay Lightning, down 12 percent to $48
million; the Texas Rangers, down 12 percent to $138 million;
the Montreal Expos, down 11 percent to $68 million, and the Pittsburgh
Pirates, down 11 percent to $62 million.
Financial World based its baseball and NFL appraisals on the
teams' states following the 1995 seasons. NBA and NHL appraisals
are based on financial conditions following the 1994-95 seasons.
The Knicks had the highest operating income at $31.8 million,
while the Yankees had the highest in baseball at $24 million,
the Cowboys the highest in the NFL at $16.4 million and the Chicago
Blackhawks the highest in the NHL at $22 million.
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